India: Severe storms, 8 deaths, 8000 evacuees

At least 8 people were killed and 8,000 evacuated by Typhoon Nilam - the storm caused strong flood and wind near Super Typhoon Sandy, swept across the southeastern coast of India on the night of October 31. Storms also caused an oil tanker ran aground.

Oil tanker stranded off Chennai coast (Photo: AFP)

Indians struggle with strong winds caused by Typhoon Nilam on October 31 - Photo: Reuters

CNN sources said officials on November 1 said the oil tankers carried 37 people. These people then went down to the lifeboat to get to the shore, but the boat was overturned by a big wave, causing one to drown, six missing.

In Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state, the typhoon caused more than 100 trees to collapse, collapsing a number of electric poles, closing schools, and stalling cargo operations in Chennai.

The Indian Meteorological Agency said the storm has weakened to a low pressure, but will continue to cause heavy rains in many areas of the state of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry, and warns fishermen not to venture out. The sea caught until the storm completely passed.

In Sri Lanka, the government said two people were killed and at least 4,000 people were evacuated due to floods and strong winds caused by the storm Nilam. The storm also damaged about 1,000 houses in this country.